Sask. government introduces law to define ‘privatize’

The government of Saskatchewan has introduced a new law to define the word “privatize”. It says the changes will clarify the meaning of the term when it comes to the province’s Crown corporations. The government has agreed not to sell a Crown — such as SaskTel — without a vote of support from the people of the province. It says the new law would clarify that it could sell up to 49 per cent of a company without “privatizing” it. … The Opposition says it sounds as though the government is looking for ways to sell off crown businesses without holding a public vote. … The government says it is clarifying the definition of “privatize” in light of talks about the future of the government-owned phone company, SaskTel. However it stresses that no offers for that company have been made or are being considered. …